As the committee that has been working to update the Cook County Land Use Plan prepares to present the draft plan to the public, the consultant team hired to facilitate planning released more information on what to expect.
Last updated in 1997 the Land Use Guide Plan provides direction to the Cook Board of Commissioners, planning commission, and staff.
The county has retained the consultant team of John Powers of Applied Insights North and Tony Kroska of Community GIS, both of Duluth, to assist with the development of the updated plan. The consultants explain that components of the plan include: statements defining the essential attributes of Cook County; an overview of the county relative to land use, pattern of landownership, economic activity and the like; statement describing a “desired future” for the county as a whole and areas within it; coordination with other units of government; and an implementation program.
One section presents strategic initiatives that address key issues or leverage vital opportunities. Pursuing any one of them will involve a host of actions that will further the objectives of this land use plan. While these are county initiatives, clearly each requires participation from a wide variety of private and public sector parties and in some cases the county’s role may be primarily the instigating force.
The initiatives are not offered in any order of priority or ranking.
. Private / Public Land Ownership Pattern: Increase the amount of privately owned developable land within the North Shore Corridor and around community centers so as to encourage new development where physical and community infrastructure can most cost effectively support it.
. Destination Higher Education Program: Build upon the existing Cook County Higher Education foundation and explore establishment of a distinctive, destination higher education program whose purpose, beyond providing high quality educational opportunities, would be to bring people into the community on a year-round basis through an activity that broadens the scope of the local economy. . Private Development Infrastructure Financing: Establish a program through which individuals desiring to build a year-round, homesteaded residence can finance essential upfront infrastructure costs (such as road access, water supply, and on-site sewage treatment) over time so as to eliminate an enormous barrier to construction of affordable housing. . Small-Scale Agriculture: Support agricultural activity appropriate in scale and scope that serves to retain locally spent dollars within the county’s economy and sustain households in a fashion compatible with the county’s social-economic fabric by devising and executing a strategy aimed at assisting such enterprises to be economically viable. . Land Use Regulations and Administration: Implement changes to county land use regulations regarding permits, project review, project phasing and fees, timeliness, and administration with the intent to streamline development and reduce costs for individuals and developers while retaining the purpose and integrity of the regulations.
Information on the planning process including copies of the proposed draft plan and background materials can be obtained at the County Planning and Zoning office or at its website (www.co.cook.mn.us).
A committee comprised of county residents with representative range of interests worked with county staff and the consultants to prepare the draft land use plan.
The public is invited to participate in a meeting to review and comment on the draft Land Use Guide Plan:
Monday, September 14, 2015
6:30 p.m.
Cook County Community Center
in Grand Marais.
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